The 'Midnight in Paris' filmmaker refuses to be associated with ''childish'' big-budget box office hits, which he believes have no artistic merit and are only made so studios can cash in as much as possible.

Asked what feel-good films mean to him, Allen scoffed: ''Mediocrity. Moreover, that kind of film often circulates huge prejudices. It's a completely different job to mine, based on commercial profits. I don't watch them, I ignore them, they don't interest me. They're childish products.''

The 77-year-old cinema legend - whose career spans over 50 years - hopes only sophisticated and intellectually-minded people will go to see his films.

Probed how he feels about striving for sophistication in a modern world, he lamented: ''It can sometimes bring me to despair and be frustrating, but there are still lots of sophisticated and sensitive people to exchange points of view and opinions with. I don't need the people who go see blockbusters...''

Allen cast Cate Blanchett in his new drama 'Blue Jasmine' and says he'd been waiting for the perfect opportunity to have the ethereal beauty as his leading lady.

He explained to France's Madame Figaro magazine: ''I first noticed her in 'The Talented Mr Ripley', she was the best thing about that film. I asked myself, 'Who is this girl?' I've followed her work ever since, she's a fantastic actress, and I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to work with her. When I was writing 'Blue Jasmine', I thought of her and the timing was right.''